Hi FMers,
I am a 2-year reader, first-time poster here, so please be nice to me . I'm seeking an advice on upgrade. I currently have an XSi with 18-55IS and 55-250IS, 50 1.8, and few alt lenses. I consider myself an advanced and enthusiastic amateur and am shooting mostly landscapes, portraits, kids (because I have them ), and during family travels. My travel is not a photo-oriented, rather family trips to all kind of places like National Parks, ocean, cruises, skiing, Europe..., and all the family parties (i have a 430EXII). I have about $1000 for upgrades. I checked my recent photos (did my homework), and noticed that when shooting with 18-55, I'm using both ends of zoom a lot. I was planning to upgrade to 15-85 (620 used on B&S) and 70-200 F4-nonIS (500 on B&S) and sell my 2 kit lenses. 15-85 will most likely allow me to walk with just one lens and don't deal with 2-lens setup, and 70-200 will be used for skiing and any outdoor kids' sports (they don't do much indoors). Weight and size are quite important, IQ being the ultimate goal, of course.
I want, in the future, to move to 5dII (or III, or whatever will be there) which looks like the perfect camera for me. I would prefer to not buy a lens because it's cheap but rather will wait and buy a better one that will keep for long time.
As I learned on this forum, there are many people here that know and understand way more than I do, so if anyone will spear the knowledge will much appreciate.
George
Both the lenses listed are great and will be a great adition to your bag.
Well done for looking at what lengths you shoot now.
Remember that if you do go FF the the 15-85 wont be usable so you would need to factor in the lens as well (24-105 IS is just about the closest replacement)
That said I doubt the 15-85 would loose to much if you do need to sell it.
For me I spend alot of time 50 and above (more than 85 alot to) so I'm happy with the 24-105 and a tokina 12-24 as the wide lens.
You could get both the 50 f/1.4 and the 85 f/1.8 and still have some money left over for other things. These are both great primes that will let you shoot in lower light situations.
Ian, Jim, thanks!
I was looking at 24-105 but it's not wide enough (homework again ). I would prefer to re-sell 15-85 at a little loss (if any) if the IQ of 15-85 is on-par with 24-105 but have a wider side covered. I do not care that much for speed as I'm not gonna use it for "art" or low-light events.
I was just looking more for support on my move or maybe any missed variants. Thanks again!
jbfaulconer, thanks. I spent this summer with 4 lenses and constant switching was not a best thing during vacation. As I mentioned, my trips are not photo-oriented so I'm looking for flexibility of zoom. That said, I am looking for 85 1.8 as a next step. I actually was also looking for maybe 24/28/35 prime, not L, they look quite good, are not too expensive, and are small enough to not struggle with them in the bag.
With weight, size and IQ in mind, have you considered Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8? Being f/2.8, you'll be able to shoot in lower light and more DOF control for portrait. The downside is of course you will lose 51-85mm focal length and there's no IS.
n0b0 wrote:
With weight, size and IQ in mind, have you considered Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8? Being f/2.8, you'll be able to shoot in lower light and more DOF control for portrait. The downside is of course you will lose 51-85mm focal length and there's no IS.
Yes, I was looking at that lens. Main reason of 15-85 winning is the 51-85 part. I also think that for my needs IS wins vs. 2.8 as it gives me more in low-light static scenery. How is an AF speed of Tamron compared to the Canon 15-85?
For DOF I have 50 1.8 and hope in the future to pick 85 1.8 and very future 24-70 (oh!). On the other note, I'm really interested in some alt lenses for portraits, maybe once have more funds will buy some.
+1 on the 85 1.8, great lens for the cost.
Tamron 17-50 is pretty solid on AF speed. I've used it with an XSI, T1I and a 50D.
That 15-85 is just such a unique range in terms of coverage. If you are satisfied with the quality and the speed then great. I personally prefer the 2.8 with zooms for those random occasions when low light does become an issue. Combine a 2.8 zoom with a couple 1.8 primes and you're in pretty decent shape.
I think you have researched your style of shooting and seem to have some solid ideas.
Good luck with whatever you choose
rweav72 wrote:
+1 on the 85 1.8, great lens for the cost.
I am looking at it, probably by summer will have it. I also like 135SF...
rweav72 wrote:
Tamron 17-50 is pretty solid on AF speed. I've used it with an XSI, T1I and a 50D.
That 15-85 is just such a unique range in terms of coverage. If you are satisfied with the quality and the speed then great. I personally prefer the 2.8 with zooms for those random occasions when low light does become an issue. Combine a 2.8 zoom with a couple 1.8 primes and you're in pretty decent shape.
Yes, the range of 15-85 is the main attraction, I am fine with it's speed. Probably main question here is an IQ of this lens - is it good? If IQ of 15-85 is equal (or better i hope) compared to 17-50 (at equal settings) - I am fine. If not - well, this is why I started this thread.
rweav72 wrote:
I think you have researched your style of shooting and seem to have some solid ideas.
I think the EF-S 18-200 IS is your best bet actually. I too have an XSi, and for what you are using for, just to document the trip, you can easily use ISO 1600. That plus your flash (even the pop up flash will work) can light up when even high ISO won't do. So, the question comes down to if you can live with ONLY 18mm instead of 15mm for wide angle.
This way, you save money, for the 70-200 f/2.8L IS later...
4honor wrote:
I think the EF-S 18-200 IS is your best bet actually. I too have an XSi, and for what you are using for, just to document the trip, you can easily use ISO 1600. That plus your flash (even the pop up flash will work) can light up when even high ISO won't do. So, the question comes down to if you can live with ONLY 18mm instead of 15mm for wide angle.
Well, I will try
4honor wrote:
This way, you save money, for the 70-200 f/2.8L IS later...
How is the 18-200 compared to 15-85? Everything I found on the net suggests 15-85 being noticeably better compared to 18-200 and USM supposed to be faster and better as well...
. I'm seeking an advice on upgrade. I currently have an XSi with 18-55IS and 55-250IS, 50 1.8, and few alt lenses. I consider myself an advanced and enthusiastic amateur and am shooting mostly landscapes, portraits, kids (because I have them 
(i have a 430EXII). I have about $1000 for upgrades. I checked my recent photos (did my homework), and noticed that when shooting with 18-55, I'm using both ends of zoom a lot. I was planning to upgrade to 15-85 (620 used on B&S) and 70-200 F4-nonIS (500 on B&S) and sell my 2 kit lenses. 15-85 will most likely allow me to walk with just one lens and don't deal with 2-lens setup, and 70-200 will be used for skiing and any outdoor kids' sports (they don't do much indoors). Weight and size are quite important, IQ being the ultimate goal, of course.